The starting point would normally be to find an instructor to help you get going as learning to sit correctly is the fundamentals of riding sidesaddle safely and also elegantly. Within the UK, The Side Saddle Association (SSA) has a list of qualified SSA instructors. This is a very useful starting point.

At Simply Side Saddles, we regularly get people new to sidesaddle started on a “Have a Go” lesson/ clinic, where we provide the saddle to enable you to experience first hand what it’s like to ride side saddle. We have saddles available to fit most horses.

We also hold regular mechanical horse clinics sidesaddle which give you the opportunity to learn and perfect the skill, without having to worry about what the horse is doing.

Most horses carry a sidesaddle very well. We like a prospective sidesaddle horse to be reasonably established in its basic paces, not cold-backed nor a rearer.

One of the hugely appealing things about riding sidesaddle is that virtually any horse can take it. In the modern era of sidesaddle riding, we see horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes taking part.

Provided the saddle used is fitted correctly and the rider learns to sit and distribute their weight correctly, it’s very common to find that horses go better aside than astride.

The answer to this is virtually all equestrian disciplines. The SSA has classes ranging from equitation, which focuses on the rider, through to Concours d’Elegance in traditional attire or costume. Other riders prefer the thrill of riding cross country or even taking to the hunting field.

The length measurement is taken from the centre of the cutback at the front of the saddle to the centre of the cantle at the back of the saddle. The seat with is taken across the widest part of the seat.

To assess the width of the saddle for the horse, the measurement from point to point gives the most accurate idea of what is likely to fit. It’s key that the saddle fits both horse and rider.